Method and apparatus for simultaneously spinning and twisting artificial threads



March 14, 1939. BERNDT 2,150,354-

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SPINNING AND TWISTING ARTIFICIAL THREADS Filed March 21, 1956 Patented Mar. 14, 1939 PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMULTA- NEOUSLY SPINNING TWISTING ARTI- FICIAL THREADS Karl Berndt, Ghemnitz, Germany 7 Application March 21, 1936, Serial No. 70,044 In Germany March 2'7, 1935 10 Claims.

My invention relates to a method and an apparatus for simultaneously spinning and twisting artificial threads by means of a revolving nozzle, whereby rotation is imparted to the 5 thread from its starting point, i. e., from the spinning nozzle, the speed employed therefor not being restricted to any greater extent than those at which the prior centrifugal spinning pots operate. The advantages of the novel spinning method not only lie in considerable savings as compared to the methods hitherto known for manufacturing. artificial silk, but particularly in the possibility of winding up in any manner whatever the thread already twisted by the nozl5 zle, whereas in this connection not only has'it hitherto been necessary to take the subsequent twisting into consideration but also the centrifugal spinning method has been heretofore restricted to certain sizes and forms of the lap.

In connection with spinning methods employing precipitants it has already been proposed to dip a revolving nozzle into a stagnant bath and to cause, the portion of, the bath surrounding the nozzle to be rotated at the same time (of. German Patents 263,242, 466,384, French Patent 406,724) attempts have also been made to cause the precipitant to rotate with the nozzle (of. German Patents 249,002, 469,345, American Patent.1,371,113). While in the first case it seems so .very difiicult to eliminate the difference in speed between the precipitant and the thread, in the second case the fact has been overlooked that the precipitant revolving with the nozzle at speeds (3,000-10,000 R. P. M.) necessary for the 5 industrial application becomes subject to centrifugal forces which preponderate more and more over the forces of gravity and, therefore, the pots open at the top and also partially at the bottom are not able to hold any precipitant,

40 particularlyin the space surrounding the axis of rotation of the spinning nozzle. Furthermore, in the above patents the distribution of the twist in the thread has not been taken into consideration. For instance, in the above-mentioned Ger- 45 man Patent 469,345 the total twist would occur 5 erto unknown that a continuous spinning from a revolving nozzle is only possible in or in the neighborhood of the axis of rotation of a precipitant revolving with the same angular speed.

if the precipitant completely fills up the revolv- 5' ing pot and if the twisting is prevented at'least within the distance within which the precipitant revolves.

According to the invention the pot may be completely filled up by providing it with a cover which has an aperture only at the point where "5 the axis of rotation passes, in which aperture a stationary tube designed in the form of a funnel is inserted, the tube being kept filled with the precipitant up to acertain level and the spun thread being drawn therethrough in the upward l0 direction. The precipitant, consequently, consists of a revolving portion (in the interior of the pot) and of a stationary portion (within the funnel tube) one portion passing into the other.

in, and in the neighborhood of, the funnel aper l5 I ture. Moreover, in the neighborhood of the point of juncture the thread is held according to the invention in the space surrounding the axis of rotation by a revolving thread guide and the twisting is prevented in the space between '20 the thread guide and the nozzle by a slight braking action of the thread guide. By the present invention it is, therefore, possible to spin in a bath revolving with the nozzle, since the invention teaches a method according to which the pct 25 may be kept continuously filled up with the precipitant at all speeds during the rotation. My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing which shows in Figs. 1 and 2 two modifications of a spinning pot in longitudinal 7 section.

Fig. 1 shows one form of the invention employed in connection with the novel spinning method and in which the apparatus is arranged so as to facilitate its tending. The spindle A carries the spinning nozzle B- from which a number of filaments issue as shown, and to be spun into a thread and the pot C and is provided with a central bore for feeding the liquid or viscous spinning material. 7 cover D which may be readily detachably held therein by means of a simple round rubber ring packing which forms at the same time a tight jointbetween cover and pot rim. The tube of afunnel G, which is so arranged that it may be raised and pivoted by means of a device H, is inserted in the aperture F arranged in the cover D concentric with the axis of rotation, the funnel tube being stationary in contradistinction to the rotating pot C and cover D. A packing J secured to the funnel tube prevents the precipitant from escaping through the cover aperture F. A thread guide K is arrangediion the under side of cover D and consists .substantially of three bent rods. Two of these rods the This pot is closed by the 40V 7 Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 2.

lower and the upper ones are bent in the same direction and are stationary, whereas the third lying therebetween is bent in the opposite direction to that of the other two and may be rotatably adjusted on its axis or removed. The thread passes between these three rods in the same manner as the weft thread in a plain cloth. The

precipitant is supplied through a conduit M to a the stationary funnel Gr and is discharged through bottom perforations L provided in the revolving pot C.

The above-described pot to the human hand the spinning of the material, issuing from the pot at rest, onto a lowspeed auxiliary taking up device, from which the thread indicated in Fig. 1 by the vertical arrowed line, after passing it through the cover and funnel and after initiating the rotation and after i attainment of full speed, may be spun onto the winding apparatus at the full take up speed.

According to a further improvement, the arrangement shown in Figure l-may be modified by providing a tube within the rotary container which tubeis concentric with and surrounds the nozzle so that the latter discharges the viscous material into a hollow cylinder of comparatively small diameter, The precipitation liquid which is supplied from the stationary funnel is fed from the top of the cylinder to the spinning nozzle. In

this figure, A designates the driving motor. Its

spinning material. At the upper end of the hollow shaft is mounted the spinning nozzle B. The rotary vessel C is fixed on shaft A and rotates with it. This vessel is closed by the cover D which is provided with discharge openings L and tightened at its rim against the vessel rim by means of packing E. Vessel C contains a cylinder F of comparatively small diameter which is fixed 0n thebottom of vessel C and which surrounds at its lower portion the spinning nozzle B so that the whole combination rotates on the axis of shaft A, The filling container G is connected with cylinder F by means of a flexible hose coupling J. The lower portion of this coupling permits cylinder F .to revolve in it, yet this coupling bears with suiiicient tightness on the upper end of the cylinder so as to prevent leakage of fluid from the joint. The rotary vessel C is surrounded by a stationary jacket H which carries the stationary vessel G at its upper end. K is athread guide which is mounted near the upper end within cylinder F, and R represents a supplyline terminating above vessel G for supplying the precipitation liquid. This liquid in filling vessel G passes through coupling J into cylinder F, filling the latter completely. In flowingdown to the bottom of the cylinder it flows along the filaments emanating from the nozzle 13; It is discharged at the lower portion of the cylinder through orifices N provided in the wall of the lower cylinder portion into vessel C. It rises in this vessel and is finally discharged from it through the openings L into the bowl-shaped portion D of cover D, from which it overflows and passes between the outer surface of vessel C and jacket H, as indicated by the arrows, into an annular trough O which terminates in a discharge tube 0.

The device is started for instance by inserting a rod from above (not shown here), until'the rod end reaches the vicinity of'nozzle B where the viscous material is discharged. The rod has embodiment permits when adapting the dimensions of the spinningv preferably a roughened end so that the filaments issuing from the nozzle adhere. to the rod and g in this manner they can be pulled. up outside of vessel G whence they are led onto a roll.

This arrangement functions substantially in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 1. Also in the modification Figure 2 the spinning operation occurs at high revolution speeds completely within the precipitation liquid, and the spun thread passes from a portion of a liquid column revolving practically at the same speed as the nozzle, gradually into a substantially stationary liquid column from which it is removed in the manner shown in Figure 1. The arrangement of Figure 2 has, however, the following additional advantages: Through the provision of the small diameter cylinder F, the precipitation liquid is positively guided in a narrow stream in such manner that the fresh precipitation liquid passes directly along the thread during its formation and along the filaments toward the spinning nozzle. Thus the thread and the filaments always come in contact with fresh liquid which greatly enhances the quality of the thread. Besides, with such an arrangement the rotating elements can be more easily tightened against the stationary elements, because the radii of the sliding surfaces are comparatively small. Further, since the liquid which acts upon the thread and the filaments is confined within cylinder F, and since this cylinder is of comparatively small diameter, it becomes possible to bring the spinning device much quicker to full speed (considering that at the start vessel C is stillempty). Furthermore, it is much easier to impart to the liquid within cylinder F and within the vicinity of nozzle B practically the same rotary speed as the nozzle. Higher up, the rotary speed of the liquid gradually diminishes until the liquid becomes practically stationary within coupling J and vessel G where the ready spun thread leaves the liquid. Thus the filaments are least stressed by any liquid movement at'the point where they emanate from the nozzle and where they are most sensitive. Further on, the stress upon the filaments created by the resistance of the liquid is distributed over a comparatively great lengthpractically the entire cylinder lengthso that undue local stress, which may easily cause the breaking of a filament, is thereby entirely avoided. I

If desired, the inner wall of cylinder F may be provided with flutes or ridges for a certain portion of the cylinder length so-as to facilitate the'rotation of the liquid within. These ridges or flutes are designated with 'V in Figure 2. Furthermore, in order to secure that the liquid in vessel G remains stationary, radial baffle plates W. may be provided which introduce an eddy resistance; By these aforedescribed means, rotation of the liquid in the lower portion of the cylinder is secured and the liquid is maintained stationary in the upper portion of the path of the thread.

I claim as my invention:

1. Arrangement for spinning threads within a precipitation liquid from a plurality offilaments of viscous material, comprising a hollow spindle having a multiple orifice nozzle at its end, means for rotating said spindle, a container for the precipitation liquid coaxially disposed on said spin dle and surrounding said nozzle to rotate with the latter, a stationary filling container coaxially disposed with and above said rotaryrcontainer and having a coaxially located communication duct extending into said rotary container to permit theformation of a continuous liquid column between said containers which rotates at the bottom substantially at the nozzle speed and V which is stationary at the top, means for supplying viscous material to said nozzle to be ejected in a plurality of filaments into the rotary portion of said liquid column, means for guiding said filaments through said column, so that they are twisted into, a thread after having passed said guiding means, means for supplying precipitation liquid to said stationary container and means for discharging said liquid from the rotary container.

2. Arrangement for spinning threads within a precipitation liquid from a plurality of filaments of viscous material, comprising a hollow spindle having a multiple orifice nozzle at its end, means for rotating said'spindle, a container for the precipitation liquid closed at the top and coaxially disposed on said spindle and surrounding said nozzle to rotate'with the latter, a stationary filling container ccaxially disposed with and above said rotary container and having a coaxially located communication duct extending into said rotary container to permit the formation of a continuous liquid column between said containers which rotates at the bottom substantially at the nozzle speed and which is stationary at the top, means for supplying viscous material to said nozzle to be ejected in a plurality of filaments into the rotary portion of saidliquid column, so that they are twisted into a thread while passing through the stationary portion of the column, means for supplying precipitation liquid to said stationary container and means for discharging said liquid from the rotary con} tainer. I

3.-Arrangement for spinning thread within a precipitation liquid from a plurality of filaments of viscous material, comprising a hollow spindle having a multiple orifice nozzle at its end, means for rotating said spindle, a container for the precipitation liquid closed at the top and coaxially disposed on said spindle and surrounding said nozzle to rotate with the latter, a stationary filling container coaxially disposed with and above said rotary container, a' coaxially located communication duct connecting said stationary and said rotary container to permit the formation of a continuous liquid column between said two containers which rotates at its lower end substantially at the nozzle speed, means for preventing the rotation of the upper end of said column located in said stationary container, means for supplying viscous material to said nozzle to be ejected in a plurality of filaments into the rotary portion of'said liquid column, means for guiding said filaments through said column so that they are twisted into a thread after having passed'said guiding means, means for supplying precipitation liquid to said stationary container and means for discharging said liquid from the rotary container.

. 4. Arrangement for spinning threadwithin a precipitation liquid from a plurality of filaments of viscous material, comprising a hollow spindle and said rotary container to permit the formation of a continuous liquid column between said two containerswhich rotates at its lower end substantially at the nozzle speed, means for pre: ventingthe rotation of the upper end of said column located. in said stationary container,

means "for supplying viscous material to said nozzle to be ejected in a plurality of filaments into the rotary portion of said liquid column, a guide disposed near said stationary communication duct in said rotary container to rotate coaxially with the latter, for guiding said filaments through said liquid column so that they are twisted into a thread after having passed said guiding means, means for supplying precipitation liquid through said stationary container and means for discharging said liquid from the rotary container.

5. In a device for spinning filaments of viscous material, in-cornbination' a rotatable multi-orifice nozzle adapted to eject a plurality of filaments of Viscous material, a precipitation fluid containerv surrounding said nozzle and coaxially rotatable therewith, a vertical coaxially disposed cylinder in said container forming acylindrical chamber above said nozzle into whichsaid filaments are discharged and means for guiding said filaments through said cylinder, a stationary precipitation liquid container connected with said cylinder to permit the formation of a continuous column of liquid extending from said stationary container through said cylinder to said nozzle, and through which column the ejected filaments pasasaid cylinder having orifices in its wall portion adjacent to said nozzle and leading into said rotary container, whereby a communication of precipitation liquid from said stationary container through said cylinder into said rotary 'containeris established, means for supplying precipitation liquid to said stationary container, means for discharging the liquid from said rotary container and baffles for preventing the rothe fluid at the opposite end of the column substantially non-rotating, supplying precipitation fiuidto the non-rotating portion and discharging fluid from the rotating portion of said continuous column, and withdrawing the thread from the non-rotating portion of said column so that the'filaments ejected from the nozzle are spun within said rotating portion of said fluid column and are twisted into a thread while passing through said non-rotating portion.

7. Arrangement for spinning threads within a precipitation liquid from a plurality of filaments of viscous material, comprising a hollow spindle having a multiple orifice nozzle at its end, means for rotating said spindle, a container for the precipitation liquid closed at the top and coaxially disposed on said spindle and surrounding said nozzle to rotate with the latter, a-stationary filling container coaxially disposed with and above said rotary container, a coaxially located communication duct connecting said stationaryland said rotary container to permit the formation of a continuous liquid column between said two containers which rotates at its lowerend substantially at the nozzle speed, means for preventing the rotation of the upper end of said column located in said stationary containen means for supplying viscous material .to said nozzle to be ejected in a plurality of filaments into the rotary portion of said liquid column,

means for guiding said filaments through said column so that they are twisted into a thread on their passage through the stationary portion of the column, said guiding means being disposed to allow the course of the thread to remain in the rotation axis of said column, means for supplying precipitation liquid to said stationary container, and guiding means arranged in said rotary container between said duct and said nozzle for causing the stream of liquid coming from said communication duct to flow in contact with said filaments in direction to said nozzle, whereby the liquid gradually increases its rotary speed from stationary condition to substantially the nozzle speed, and means for discharging said precipitation liquid from said rotary container.

8. In a device for simultaneously spinning and twisting filaments of viscous material, in cornbination a rotatable multi-orifice nozzle adapted to eject a plurality of filaments of viscous material, a precipitation fiuid container surrounding said nozzle and coaxially rotatable therewith, a

stationary container, means for supplying pre' charging the liquid from said rotary container,

and means for preventing the rotation of liquid in said stationary container so that the ejected filaments pass gradually from a rotary portion of the liquid column into a stationary portion and are twisted together into a thread.

9. In a device for spinning filaments of viscous material, in combination a rotatable multi-orifice nozzle adapted to eject a plurality of filaments of viscous-material, a precipitation fiuid container surrounding said nozzle and coaxially rotatable therewith, a vertical coaxially disposed cylinder in said container forming a cylindrical chamber above said nozzle into which said filaments are discharged and means for guiding said filaments through said cylinder, a stationary precipitation liquid container connected with said cylinder to-permit the formation of a continuous column of liquid extending from said stationary container through said cylinder to said nozzle,

and through which column the ejected filaments pass, said cylinder having flutes on its. inner wall for impeding a relative rotation of the liquid near said'nozzle with respect to the rotation of said nozzle, andhaving orifices in its Wall'portion adjacent to said nozzle, said orifices leading into said rotary container, whereby circulation of precipitation liquid from said stationary'container through saidcylinder into said rotary container is established, means for supplying the liquid to said stationary container, means for discharging the liquid from said rotary container, and means for preventing the rotation of liquid in said stationary container so that the ejected filaments pass gradually from a rotary portion of the liquid column into a stationary portion and are twisted together into a thread.

10. A device for spinning threads within a precipitation liquid from a plurality of filaments of viscous material, comprising a hollow spindle havinga multi-orifice nozzle at its end, means for supplying viscous material to said nozzle through said spindle, means for rotating said spindle, a container for precipitation liquid coaxially disposed above and connected with said spindle so as to surround said nozzle and to rotate with the latter, means for preventing the formation of a liquid paraboloid in said container, said preventing means comprising a stationary filling container arranged above said rotatable container, a communicating connection between said two containers, said'connection being arranged coaxially to said containers and forming together with said two containers a path for the thread produced by the filaments ejected from said nozzle, means for supplying fresh precipitation liquid directly to the non-rotating liquid in saidstationary filling container, and means for the discharge of used liquid from said rotary container.

' KARL BERNDT. 

